We at road ways are continuously trying to pack lighter, see more, do more and do it for less. We always try to travel with a carry-on or backpack, no matter the length of stay. If you travel light you will be more inclined to travel spontaneously. We love to accumulate travel tips and here a few that we have to offer. Have any we missed? Send them our way!
PACKING:
- For longer trips, pack for four to five days worth of clothes (or two to three for the super light packer!) and do laundry along the way.
- Pull out all the clothes that you might want to take and lay them out. Eliminate those you can only wear once, are too specific or require too much fuss in laundering. Pack basics that you can mix and match, focusing on solid colors and subtle patterns.
- Pack an wide range of jewelry, scarves and other accessories (they take up a lot less space!) to mix things up.
- Pack two pairs of shoes. That’s it ladies: just two, so choose wisely! And wear the bulkier pair when in transit with luggage.
- If checking your bags, always carry a change of clothes (fresh shirt and underwear at least), and basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, face wash…). If your bags get delayed en route, you’ll be glad to have the essentials while you wait. And if not, sometimes it’s just nice to freshen up immediately.
- Don’t check anything of value. Carry your camera, phone, jewelry, etc. with you on the plane.
- If you can help it, avoid carrying your good jewelry along with you. Take your favorites, of course, but unless you’re planning on attending a gala somewhere, the diamond earrings are best left at home.
- Most importantly, don’t forget to pack your sense of humor. Something will go wrong, and your best bet to keeping your cool and coming back with good memories is your ability to roll with the punches and make it into a funny story to bring home. After all, it’s about the journey, right?
HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Keep your wits about you, especially in a foreign country. Most places are far less scary than they seem, provided you look like you know what your doing.
- Hold onto your belongings. Theft at the snap of the fingers and when you’re least paying attention (take it from Suzanne, whose camera was stolen from the inside compartment of her purse while she was shopping in Buenos Aires). When at all possible, keep a hand on your bag.
- That said, in case it does happen to you, get travel insurance!!! It’s a small price to pay for the security of your belongings—and your self.
- Stash your cash. Don’t keep all your money in one place: think a little in your wallet, a little in a sock (buried in your bag) and tuck some into a deep pocket in your suitcase… That way, if you do happen to be robbed, you don’t lose everything.
- Carry essential medicines with you. In fact, carry a pharmacy if you have to. We’ve found you never know what you’ll need when elsewhere, so be prepared for it all. That means everything from aspirin to hemorrhoid cream (don’t laugh, you never know when it might come in handy).
